Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-06-15


City Council was held last night.
IN THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN
it was several minutes past eight o'clock
the hour for meeting-before a quorum
appeared.
Upon being called to order the board
transacted some routine business without
debate, after which large number OF bills
for services at the late election, we're pre-
sented, which the clerk started to read,
when
Mr. Strauss moved that the reading of the
bills be dispensed with and that they be 70
ferred in bulk to the Committee on Claims.
Mr.. Smith asked why Council could not
order them to be paid at once.
Dir. STRAUSS motion, however, prevailed
After half an hours recess. several papers
which hsd been acted upon by the Common
Council were received from that board and
their action concurred in, aud no further
business appearing, another hull followed,
when
An amendment to the ordinance for col
ecting taxes on persons and property was
received from the Common Council, haw-
ing by them been referred TO the Finance
Committee The amendment was IN the
last clause OF the ordinance, and provides
that on ali bills paid by the 10th of July q
discount of 10 per cent. shall be allowed
and ON all paid bv the 1st of September
discount Of 5 per cent. imposing penalty
Of per cent. upon all Gellnquents alter
December 1st, and providing that ell per-
sons be proceeded against who may be IN
arrears after June LIST, 1883.
MIR. Snowden, from the Common Council,
ssked permission Of tie Aldermen TO ex-
olain the motives which actuated the
"a, ,c-r,C his 0T1nnf-
ment. The question had been asked IN COM
Inittee, Who should take charge of the tax
bills due the city for the coming fiscal year.
The term of the present collectors expired
ON the lst proximo, and were the new bills
withheld until the newly-elected officers
were sworn in tax payers would lose the
opportunity of saving the 10 per cent.
allowed liz the bill as recently passed. The
committee mad given the matter consider
able attention and had learned that 1t was
customary for new collectors TO take the
new bills Should the present ones start to
collect the city's dues for 1887 the Finance
Committee would have to balance the ac-
counts OF four instead Of two tax-receiVers.
Thecommittee had consequently determined
70 hold the bills for the coming year until
Tie LIST of July in order 20 avoid the SEEM
iup difficulty. The amendment had been
introduced in the lower board and referred
ia the Finance Committee in order that the
substance of ii could be published and read
by tho people before it became operative.
MIR. Strauss thought the amendment en-
inently practical, and moved c concurrence
out
MIR. Smith felt constrained TO lnterpose an
objection. and said The fees on the new biils
no considered a legitimate part OF
the omolunen;s OF the old tax collectors,
n tho incoming
officers, US they in the natural order OF
things would have the bills for 1855 and
1883 placed in their hands prior to July t5t
of those years. The speaker saw no good
reason for departure from time-honored
custom Moreover il was q question cl
right and Justice 20 the present incumbents
who were entitled 10 the lust Prerequisites OF
their offices so long n their terms lasted.
The tax hill had been passed; many hSi
made arrangements 10 pay their taxes on
the LIST of july and save the percentage 81
lowed for payment On that date. ana the
speaker said he had seen checks drawn up
ior that purpose; hence be SEW no reason
v.hv Council should III this time proceed to
disasrauge the whole system OF lax collect
jnr.
Mr.. BRYANT concumed with Mr.. Smith
MIR. Marbury said ne had understood that
the present collectors didn't want TO collect
he new bills. which would put them to the
trouble OF giving new bonds.
Sir. Smith had talked with Mr. Hill, and
rom what had been said he had inferred
that they did want them. There would be
no need of new bonds; their present ones
we're sufficient until the new collectors
should come in.
Mr.. NTarbury repeated that nc mad under
stood Mr. Hill was not DESTROYS OF having
the new bills placed in his hands, and aP'
pealed to Mr.. Snowden to corroborate HIS
assertion.
Mr.. Strauss thought; after all, the trouble
could be settled by the Finance Committee,
who in their discretion could withhold the
Nile until the list of July. lie could see no
Injustice 10 the present collectors IN such
Rction.
Mr.. Sncwden again addressed the board.
He said he was convinced the collectors
would no; settle their accounts with the
Finance Committee before July list. Mr.
Hill had told him that neither he nor Mr.
Field laid any claim TO the bills Tor 1881;
Should the amendment f4i! to pass Council
and She bills for the present year not be
placed IN the hands of collectors till July lst,
the citizens would loss the opportunity OF
saving the 10 per cent. discount.
Mr. Smith said be had talked with Mr
Hill and lIr Wood about this matter last
sunday. and to-uighg had had another con-
versatiou with Mr.. Hill: he on the latter oc-
cason telling the speaker that he could not
take possession o. the new bills until he mad
settled up the old ones also that Mr.. Hi
told him il previous years new bills had
been placed in the new collectors hands be-
fore July Isl. Ee had told Mr. Hill il was
his preogative to collect the new bills until
his term expired.
Mr.. Downham suggested that the Com
mon Council had only referred the amend
ment to the Finance Committee, and should
the Aldermen concur the matter would come
before the board again.
Mr.. Leadbealer, as member of the Fl
nance Committee, said he desired TO state